Apple may advance the functionality of the iPad by adding a new split-screen multitasking feature to the tablet in iOS 8, reports 9to5Mac. The option would allow iPad owners to use two apps simultaneously on a single screen in landscape mode, a function frequently touted by Microsoft as an advantage for its Surface tablets over the iPad.

Previous concept for split-screen multitasking (not based on specific rumors)

Besides allowing the operation of multiple apps at the same time, the feature also may allow users to share data such as links and images between apps. The integration of this sharing functionality suggests Apple may open up support for XPC services in iOS, making it easier for developers to share content between apps.

Quote:

In addition to allowing for two iPad apps to be used at the same time, the feature is designed to allow for apps to more easily interact, according to the sources. For example, a user may be able to drag content, such as text, video, or images, from one app to another. Apple is said to be developing capabilities for developers to be able to design their apps to interact with each other.

The multitasking feature, which is said to work in landscape mode only, is likely to land in the 9.7-inch iPad, with its extension to the smaller iPad mini unclear at this time. It may also be a critical feature for the rumored iPad Pro, which may ship sometime in 2015 with a 12-inch display.

It's funny that so many of us have to wait so long to be able to do these kinds of things with our devices. Yeah, way to go, Windows tablets -- you can already do this. And the iPad should already do this. But it doesn't make me or millions of others want your tablet. Instead, we wait.

Finally! But what is my problem is with it is on the iPad mini there won't be enough space to do it as some apps are already bit too small to use on it as it goes off the 10 inch iPad apps - I tired using a 8 inch windows tablet and I just found the apps ither do letter boxing, crash or too small to even read the text!

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I would love this. It is the only draw to the Samsung tablets that I see in the ads with the iPads. I went and used a Samsung tablet and while I liked it, I was unsure whether or not I would regret getting one because everything else i have is iOS. Syncing my motorola phone was never awesome for me and I regretted skipping an iPhone version for that.

I hope this comes but I am not sure how the memory issue will hold up. With the constant refresh of pages in Safari, can Apple's current iPads handle split screen true multitasking?

Seriously though, this would require more RAM as two apps would have to be kept active. If Safari for iPad already struggles to keep a couple tabs opened without refreshing when you switch between them, I can't imagine what it would be like if you have, say, a game running next to it and using lots of RAM as well.

At least the way it is currently, an app in background can easily free some memory by releasing all the visual stuff that can be reconstructed when the app comes in foreground again (that's what UIViews typically do when they receive a low memory warning). With this split-screen feature, the two active apps would have to "share" memory all the time even down to the visual elements.

Well that was quick... I don't really view having two apps open on a screen at the same time a Samsung first. Apple has made a conscious decision to only have one app open at a time, it's not like 4 finger swipe is difficult really.

I suspect this "enhancement" is aimed more at the 12" iPad Pro crowd but they're able to port it over to 9.7".